Divorce | Pennsylvania Family Law Blog - The Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz - Part 6
Pennsylvania Divorce Waiting Period Could Be Reduced
Under current Pennsylvania law, there is a two-year statutory waiting time period in “no- fault” divorce cases. This means that the majority of separated couples in Pennsylvania cannot officially divorce until they have been apart for two years.
Recently, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives has voted to pass House Bill 380, which will reduce the statutory waiting time period from two years to one year. The bill now goes to the Senate where it will be considered. Read the rest »
Tips for Using Social Media During Your Divorce
Social media can be a great tool to help connect people. It can also affect your life in ways you probably didn’t even think about until your divorce. Statistics show that 80 percent of divorce lawyers have used evidence from social media sites in divorce cases. You should probably look at social media use during divorces cases like you’re being given your Miranda rights every time you log onto social media: anything you post can and probably will be used against you in a court of law. Read the rest »
Pet Custody and Pennsylvania Divorce
When couples divorce, custody is one of the most difficult issues to resolve. Not only does it apply to children, but pets as well. Pets are just as important as kids, and are usually considered a member of the family. According to a survey by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 27 percent of attorneys report an increase in pet custody cases over the last five years. Read the rest »
How Will Ashley Madison Affect Pennsylvania Divorces?
Ashley Madison is a controversial online website that’s meant to help married men and women discreetly find romance outside of their marriage. Their slogan is “Life is short. Have an affair.” Recently the website has been hacked, enabling the hackers to make public the names of its members, along with their credit card numbers, addresses, and sexual preferences. Infidelity has existed for hundreds of years, but the hacking of a website designed to help cheating is a modern-day situation. Read the rest »
Adultery in a Pennsylvania Divorce
A divorce is a life changing event in anyone’s life, regardless of what the cause of the demise of your marriage was. Studies show that two out of three marriages ended after one spouse had been caught being unfaithful. Roughly 30 to 60% of married individuals will engage in infidelity at some point. Many consider this the worse possible violation of marriage vows and proof of a marital breakdown. You may want to know whether the affair affects your legal rights. Contact our office today for a free consultation with an experienced Montgomery County PA divorce lawyer who can help you. Read the rest »
Moving On After a Breakup or a Divorce
Getting a divorce is one of the most significant, life-changing events you will ever go through. Filing the paperwork and fighting in court is stressful, but your transition is only beginning. Some find that coping, moving on, and healing is just as challenging as breaking up. It is important to remember that help is out there and there are those who support you and will be there for you. Don’t be afraid to reach out and talk to the people who care about you.
One of the challenging parts of moving on is remembering all the shared goals and dreams. It is hard to feel anything but disappointment when thinking of the commitments you had and the plans you hoped to achieve together. These feelings are normal. Just because your original goals have changed doesn’t mean that you will feel as bad tomorrow, the day after, or the day after that. Read the rest »
How Social Media Can Hurt or Help Your Divorce Case
The growth of social media has had many unexpected consequences. If you are involved in a car accident, the insurance companies involved may scan your Facebook page to see if you recently admitted fault for the crash online. When applying for a job, you can expect your potential employer to review your Twitter feed and your LinkedIn connections. Similarly, what you post online can have a direct impact on your divorce proceedings.
According to a recent study by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, over 80 percent of divorce attorneys say there has been a significant increase in evidence collected through social media. Information obtained through social media searches can provide valuable evidence for and against litigants who are negotiating settlements and custody. It is even possible to request for the preservation of texts emails and social media posts until after the case has concluded. Read the rest »
Judge Deems Facebook an Acceptable Way to Serve Divorce Papers
Serving divorce papers can prove challenging during a contentious separation. There are some cases in which a spouse deliberately people to avoid being served. In other situations, a spouse may be hard to reach, in between homes, or without a phone or place of employment. When someone is not available to be served papers, alternative methods may be needed.
In one recent case, a woman has been granted the right by a judge to serve divorce papers on social media. According to a CNN news report, the Brooklyn woman had been trying to divorce her husband for several years but had been unable to meet him in person to serve him the papers. Her divorce attorney filed an application requesting alternative means and the judge agreed pending that a number of criteria are met. Read the rest »
Top Questions to Ask a Divorce Lawyer
There’s no doubt that your mind is going a mile a minute if you are facing a divorce. There’s a lifetime worth of responsibilities, possessions and memories to unravel on top of the confusing, overwhelming emotions you must be experiencing. But when the time comes to choose your representative in the split, it’s important to suss out the average from the exceptional. The outcome, and your future, will depend on it.
Even if this is not your first time meeting a lawyer, it’s important to ask plenty of questions during your consultation and to be prepared ahead of time. In the moment, it may be easy to forget to ask some of the following: Read the rest »
Managing Holiday Stress during a Divorce
The holidays are a major source of stress for thousands of families in Pennsylvania. In addition to an already hectic work week, parents try to fit in as much shopping, gift wrapping, traveling and quality time with the children as possible. But when parents are navigating a divorce, the typical holiday rush is more than just nerve-racking; it can be downright panic inducing.
In order to help reduce the pressure and anxiety this season, remember to slow down, take a breath, and follow these simple steps.
Less is more. This festive time of year often means trying to make room for everything – every party, every decoration, and every favorite meal. And while you shouldn’t forgo your favorite family traditions, remember to keep things in perspective and plan accordingly. Differentiate between the wants and needs by narrowing down what’s most important. What traditions are more meaningful to your children? This may be the year where you decide to embrace simplicity and relaxation. Read the rest »
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